JANUARY 19, 2004

Verstappen to join Jordan

Jordan Grand Prix will confirm Jos Verstappen as one of its 2004 drivers tomorrow. The Dutchman will then test for the team in Barcelona on Thursday and Friday. The team is running Bas Leinders and Timo Glock on the first two days of the test but neither of them is in line for the second Jordan seat although one or the other could end up as the team's third driver this year, although this is dependent on money. There are believed to be several drivers still talking about the second Jordan seat with Satoshi Motoyama and Toyota's Ryan Briscoe both believed to be possible candidates although it is doubtful that either has enough money to top the $6m on offer for a British driver from Benson & Hedges. Nick Heidfeld is also in the frame but needs to raise the money necessary. Obviously having Heidfeld would help the team it terms of experience and might also help Jordan's relationship with Mercedes-Benz as Heidfeld remains in the German company's sphere of influence.

The team is not due to test again until the new EJ14 is ready in the first week of February and it is anticipated that Verstappen's team mate will be known by then.